the mother gap in maternal health apps
Today feels like one of those line-in-the-sand days. I’ve been dreaming, planning, building, then second-guessing…. but no more of that.
I’ve decided I’m finally diving headfirst into building VeedaMom instead of “toe-dipping.”
For those who don’t know, VeedaMom is the app I’m creating with two incredible partners who work in maternal mental health. It’s the app I wish I had when I was pregnant and after giving birth.
Why now?
I’ve been watching the big players in the maternal health app space. They’re polished and well-funded, but each time, I see the same gap. The primary focus is always on the baby, while the mom herself is treated like an afterthought.
Pregnancy and postpartum apps track kicks, contractions, and baby milestones, but what about the mother’s mental health and day-to-day resilience?
It’s imperative that the mother feels ready, strong, and emotionally prepared for motherhood.
Research demonstrates the significant impact a mother’s mental health can have on the baby’s well-being. Scratch that…it impacts the entire family’s well-being!
I know VeedaMom can be the app that finally sees moms. Prepares them. Guides them through the transition that is matrescence. And ultimately, helps them feel steadier, stronger, and happier.
Why it matters
The statistics are sobering:
Up to 1 in 5 mothers experience postpartum depression, and many more face anxiety, OCD, or intrusive thoughts.
Suicide and overdose are among the leading causes of maternal death in the U.S.
Many mothers describe pregnancy and postpartum as the most isolating times of their lives.
This is personal to me. I know how heavy it can feel, and how desperately we need better support.
What I’ve done this week
This week, I took real steps forward:
Started to launch a Kickstarter to help fuel this dream and bring more people into the story.
Began a Discord community where moms can connect, swap ideas, and help me shape the future of VeedaMom.
Partnered with my colleagues, who are developing therapist-built, personalized content for every week of pregnancy and postpartum.
It’s scary to put this all out there. But I don’t want to keep waiting for the “perfect” time.
Moms don’t have time to wait.
The road ahead
I don’t know exactly where this path will lead yet. However, I do know that VeedaMom has the potential to change lives, and I’m willing to dedicate my whole heart to making that happen.
If you’ve been through pregnancy or postpartum, or if you care about this mission, I’d love for you to be part of it.
DM me to join the Discord.
Stay tuned to back the Kickstarter.
Or, send encouragement my way… it means more than you know. I’m a words of affirmation girlie!
Here’s to no longer being afraid and to diving headfirst into building something that mothers deserve.
References
Parents Under Pressure: The U.S. Surgeon General's Advisory on the Mental Health and Well-Being of Parents (https://www.hhs.gov/surgeongeneral/reports-and-publications/parents/index.html)
Lee, J. B., Ross, K. M., Ntanda, H., Fiest, K. M., Letourneau, N., & The APrON Study Team (2023). Mothers' and Children's Mental Distress and Family Strain during the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Prospective Cohort Study. Children (Basel, Switzerland), 10(11), 1725. https://doi.org/10.3390/children10111725